Tapered Blades

[junior 1]

I've been looking for a new blade for my shaft and everywhere I go is sold out of tapered blades. Is it because tapered blades are so popular and they sell out fast or is it because nobody uses tapered blades and stores don't keep heavy stock?

[Chadd 916]

The more traditional the market, the less likely people are to use tapered sticks.

[epstud74 24]

That pisses me off, because a well reputed LHS near me has for the last couple years decided to go the tapered route ONLY when it comes to replacement blades and shafts. So I have to drive 15-20 min to get my One95 blades.

[Jakedajewler 1]

I have a hard time finding them too and when i do they are usually quite expensive

[Jarick 5]

I never have problems finding them between the two shops I frequent. Seems a lot of time I see people walk in and buy tapered blades, they broke their blade in half and don't want to buy a whole new stick.

[epstud74 24]

Jarick, they only have tapered blades at Sportsworld USA (manager decision) and General Sports has a small selection of One95 blades.

I wonder why Bauer did not make a tapered version of the One95 blade? Great blade IMO

[shotty 7]

my lhs has a bunch of sweet tapered blades... BUT i'm waiting til i need one ;)

i think they're not widely available in stores because majority of players don't really know about them. there's two, maybe three guys on my previous team, and maybe 3-4 on my upcoming one that could even explain the difference/benefits. and the reason why there's a higher number this season isnt because the tapered system is growing in popularity, but because they're from this site!

personally, ever since trying the tapered blade system, i cant stand traditional. i tried to get a guy on my team to go buy a tapered blade for a tapered shaft i gave him, and the shop (that stocks lots of tapered blades) talked him out of it, and into flipping the shaft and using a traditional blade.

Jarick, they only have tapered blades at Sportsworld USA (manager decision) and General Sports has a small selection of One95 blades.

I wonder why Bauer did not make a tapered version of the One95 blade? Great blade IMO

they will soon, i assume, one95 shaft comes tapered now.

also, here's a thought: XXXX is tapered, so they want to offer two distinct products under different names, much like easton and the SE16 vs. S15 - tapered and traditional respectively. i think from a shopowners perspective, it's easier to order two SKUS (XXXX & one95) as opposed to three or four (XXXX tapered, XXXX standard, one95 tapered, one95 standard)

[sarmalidu 1]

MN shops seem pretty decent in this respect - all of the big ones have at aleast a couple types of both tapered and standard blades. I don't really know shops near EP though - when I shop locally I drive the 15-20 minutes from Mpls to Lettermen Sports in Blaine because of the quality of service.

Have you looked at WestWood Sports and Hockey Giant? HG sucks in general because service is awful but if you just want some blades then it's got a decent amount of stuff. They would both be a decent distance but pretty much a straight shot east on 494 from EP

[Hockeyman11385 1]

I have one, why do tapered blades cost MORE money than standard?

[epstud74 24]

MN shops seem pretty decent in this respect - all of the big ones have at aleast a couple types of both tapered and standard blades. I don't really know shops near EP though - when I shop locally I drive the 15-20 minutes from Mpls to Lettermen Sports in Blaine because of the quality of service.

Have you looked at WestWood Sports and Hockey Giant? HG sucks in general because service is awful but if you just want some blades then it's got a decent amount of stuff. They would both be a decent distance but pretty much a straight shot east on 494 from EP

Thats where I go..15-20 min west heh..

Westwood is good as well

I get my skates at General Sports..They do have One95 blades there and lots of shafts

EP has a good hockey shop.. SportsWorld USA, but they refuse to stock standard blades

It is pointless for me to drive up to Lettermen, Strauss or Dave's when I can get my needs fulfilled within 20 min, but still..I just do not get Sportsworld USA not stocking the best replacement blade in the game IMO

[TBLfan 25]

I have one, why do tapered blades cost MORE money than standard?

Two reasons;

1: They're made to mimic their OPS counterpart, which has typically been the highest end stick available. So performance and materials.

2: To reach a set a price point. CCM didn't do very well with their "middle range" tapered blade, they tried and it pretty much flopped.

Smaller shops tend to avoid tapered blades because it's more stock to carry and it's really a niche market. Do these shops carry more high-end sticks or middle and low end sticks? What sells more? It's definitely not high-end sticks.

[junior 1]

I may have to move to minnesota. Seems to be the mecca of tapered blades.

[n3ss 0]

my LHS doesn't even sell the blades for the shafts they sell.

[anko 3]

LHS is great for a lot of things, but I don't see any advantage to buying a blade there. Most everyone knows what pattern they like, seems like the ideal online purchase to me.

[mack 44]

I only check out the LHS here to see what random pro returns they'll have. Even then the odds are they'll be way overpriced, like Dan Boyle tapered Z-Carbs going for $55.

[1stLiner91 0]

i walked into a hockey store. i was browsing sticks, then went to check the blades & shafts. i asked why they had all the top line sticks but hardly any shafts and blades, the employee just said "no one uses 2-pieces!"

[epstud74 24]

In my experience, it has been the other way around. You'll see more pee-wee, bantam and HS kids using one piece sticks, but the majority of beer leaguers I play with tend to gravitate towards the 2 piece. Hell, the best skater I played with tonight was using a ratty Easton Octane, but was shooting lasers all night long. As for using mid level sticks, I only see those at HockeyGiant, the LHS's seem to only stock S17s, S19s, Warrior Dolos, One95s and X60s. I've been to 3-4 shops in the last week and the lowest level stick I've seen was the Bauer X50. General Sports did have the Dolo Spynes marked down to $150 though.

Not to hijack, but has anyone used the Warrior Lidstrom/Jovanovski? I usually use a P92/Sakic, but want to start hitting more slap shots. They seem to be very close curve wise, but different toes.

[1stLiner91 0]

In my experience, it has been the other way around. You'll see more pee-wee, bantam and HS kids using one piece sticks, but the majority of beer leaguers I play with tend to gravitate towards the 2 piece. Hell, the best skater I played with tonight was using a ratty Easton Octane, but was shooting lasers all night long. As for using mid level sticks, I only see those at HockeyGiant, the LHS's seem to only stock S17s, S19s, Warrior Dolos, One95s and X60s. I've been to 3-4 shops in the last week and the lowest level stick I've seen was the Bauer X50. General Sports did have the Dolo Spynes marked down to $150 though.

Not to hijack, but has anyone used the Warrior Lidstrom/Jovanovski? I usually use a P92/Sakic, but want to start hitting more slap shots. They seem to be very close curve wise, but different toes.

i usually only use sakic/draper blades, i ordered a draper ak27 blade but received a jovanovski. like an idiot, i didn't return it to get it switched. maybe its the way i take slappers, the puck was hitting the glass 4 feet above the net. I just can't adapt to any other pattern unless it's one from mybauer, they have a good selection of mids/mid-toes

[epstud74 24]

I just find that the closed toe type blades are not ideal for slappers. Who knows?

[Chadd 916]

I just find that the closed toe type blades are not ideal for slappers. Who knows?

Depends on your form and what part of the net you're trying to hit.

[epstud74 24]

I would ideally like to keep my shot low. Knees on down if possible and generate rebounds. I'm always aiming for the goalie's skates or blades on odd angles and no higher than his knees at the net. I love the BauerP14 blade when I'm playing forward but it has a tendency to "lift" the puck at times. Once I grabbed the puck and attempted to whip it down to a streaking wingman, but instead I shoveled it out of play and over the boards. It can be a real puck grabber

[mack 44]

The old curve=crutch phenomenon.

[epstud74 24]

What do you mean?

[mrruin 0]

I jsut use ebay to buy tapered blades and shafts. As somebody else mentioned most people dont even know what tapered blades mean and give you a blank stare when you mention it so the LHS do not stock it since the blades are more expensive and will not be bought by customers.

Even on ebay they are kind of rare. Picked up some SE16 blades lately and I am in love. Definetly beats the dolo blades in the performance departement. Since I didnt read any good thing about durability I picked up 3 alltogether to last me for a while.

Usually cheaper on ebay as well.

[IniNew 53]

What do you mean?

He means you should really be able to play with any curve, regardless of the face of the blade. It's all technique. If its more open use less follow through. etc etc.